P4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdf
What is authoritative information
1. What is Authoritative Information?
HLT1IPP
La Trobe University Library
College of Science, Health & Engineering
2. 2La Trobe University
What is Authoritative Information?
Let’s look at a definition of ‘authoritative’
“able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable...”[1]
The term credible is sometimes used in place of authoritative to refer to
reliable sources of information
An authority on a subject is a recognised expert
[1] Authoritative. (2010). In A. Stevenson (Ed.). Oxford dictionary of English. Retrieved from http://0-
www.oxfordreference.com.alpha2.latrobe.edu.au/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t140.e0049870
3. 3La Trobe University
What types of authoritative information should I be using for
my university assignments?
University assignments require you to use authoritative
information from recognised experts, which is created in
academic books
scholarly journal articles
reports from government departments
and reputable organisations
4. 4La Trobe University
How do I choose the most appropriate books?
Start with enquiry guides provided by your subject
Search your university library www.latrobe.edu.au/library
Choose books which are published recently, as they will
be based on up-to-date research
5. 5La Trobe University
Sources for definitions of key terms
Searching for definitions is a good way to begin an assignment
A range of authoritative sources is available for definitions as follows:
• Dictionaries and encyclopedias available via the Library – online & print
• Glossaries from credible organisations or industry reports
• Books or journal articles on the topic available via the Library
6. 6La Trobe University
But what are scholarly journal articles?
Most journal articles you need are
available online via the Library
databases and homepage
www.latrobe.edu.au/library
They are:
written by subject experts
published in scholarly journals
required to meet certain criteria
in order to be published, and
some undergo extra checking by
experts, so are ‘peer-reviewed’
They include:
the latest research
an abstract at the start
references to other experts in a
reference list and within the text
volume and issue number
7. 7La Trobe University
How do I find appropriate reports?
Authoritative information in reports will be generally found on the internet
Search the internet for information from particular types of organisations
̶ Government departments: look for .gov in the url
̶ Professional associations look for .asn in the url
̶ Educational institutions: look for .edu in the url
̶ Not-for-profit organisations set up to support a particular condition or
issue: look for .org in the url
You can even specify the type of organisation you want when searching
e.g. type in your keywords and type site:.gov.au at the end
8. 8La Trobe University
What about these?
Are they appropriate sources to use for an assignment?*
Lecture notes: NO – you need to find the original source that the lecturer would have
referred to when presenting the information in the lecture
Chat with your auntie who is a nurse: NO – you can use a chat with your auntie to get
some ideas but you generally can’t use personal communication quotes for health
sciences assignments
Blog: NO – not an acceptable source for health sciences assignments. They are generally
opinion-based rather than research and evidence-based
Wikipedia: NO – entries in Wikipedia can be changed and updated by anyone
Online fact sheets (like Better Health Channel): NO – they are not appropriate
references for a health sciences assignment. They generally provide consumer
information
*This guidance may differ if the requirements of an assignment specified the use of any of these or other types of sources
like newspaper articles
9. 9La Trobe University
Searching for Authoritative Information – Key points
Start with what’s recommended in the subject enquiry guide
After using what’s recommended, extend your search by:
using Library search tools
looking in reference lists of readings set by course
searching the internet in a credible way – evaluate internet information
carefully before using it in assignments
checking sources against each other
Use a variety of types of resources (if not specified) – some books,
book chapters, some journal articles, some credible internet
sources - be guided by task requirements
10. 10La Trobe University
Information Literacy Health Sciences Modules
http://latrobe.libguides.com/health_sci
Access: Library homepage > LibGuides > + Health Sciences > scroll to Information…
Search Smart!
These modules provide guidance to search effectively appropriate
authoritative information for your assignments
11. 11La Trobe University
Library Help
Chat to Library Staff www.latrobe.edu.au/library/chat
Library FAQ www.latrobe.edu.au/library/faq
Contact Us
• Help Zone desk in person at your campus Library
• Librarian phone and email – College of Science, Health and Engineering
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/library/contact-us/librarian-phone-and-email